Head of School News
July 16, 2020
Good Evening CCS Families,

Since our last update in June, the CCS Re-entry Task Force has been working diligently toward our goal of bringing students back to campus this fall. We have carefully evaluated the current landscape of the pandemic, received guidance from public health, medical and educational experts and have sought the Lord daily for His best plans for Carmel Christian School. 

I am pleased to share that Carmel Christian School (Grades K-12) remains committed to returning to school on August 19 in the Cougars on Campus mode . All students will return to campus, following a normal school schedule, with modifications to promote the continued health and safety of our CCS Family.  
 
We will begin the school year in the Cougars on Campus mode; however, we will take added precautions throughout the first month of school to keep our community as safe and healthy as possible during the re-entry process. To that end, modifications and a true surrender of what feels “normal” will be necessary for the sake of being together on campus. The primary focus during the first month will be on classroom instruction, so you will see modifications to events, meetings, and activities beyond the classroom educational experience. Most of these will be delivered virtually to provide added protection as we come together this fall. Back to School Day , one of our first large group events, will be delivered using a hybrid approach with a virtual large group session followed by staggered campus visits. I am asking for a full community commitment ~ a commitment to caution and wisdom for the continued health and safety of the entire CCS Family.  
 
Several weeks ago, we shared the CCS Framework for Re-entry  which outlined three operational modes that may be employed during the 2020-21 school year. Our Key Decision Drivers are: 
  • Remain on campus when safe and permitted. 
  • Consider guidance for public schools when formulating plans and making decisions; however, we will embrace the blessing of our independent school status.
  • Shifts between operational modes will be driven by:
  • Governmental mandates (ie: stay at home orders) 
  • Community health metrics 
  • CCS community outbreaks
  • Effective and engaging delivery of the CCS mission. 
 
As we have all learned, much can transpire in a few short weeks. We are eager to return to campus, but hold these plans loosely, prepared to respond and regroup in the event of any significant shift prior to August 19. 
 
We will communicate a comprehensive re-entry plan the week of July 27, followed by a Head of School LIVE! (virtual event) the week of August 3.  The CCS Framework for Re-Entry has been updated with expanded information. A few highlights are included in this email.
Campus Health & Safety
The continued health and safety of the CCS community is a top priority. A healthy school will allow us to continue on campus. This priority means that each of us will need to make adjustments and perhaps experience some inconveniences to accomplish the goal of a healthy school community. Please help us in this regard by following these recommendations for the remainder of the summer:
  • Take the necessary precautions to keep your family healthy. Wash hands, observe social distancing, and, yes, wear a mask in public places where you cannot practice distancing. 
  • When we return to campus in August, please pre-screen EVERY DAY. You will receive detailed instructions, but know that we must ask all students, faculty and staff to stay home if they have any symptoms or exposures. 
  • Please let us know if anyone in your immediate family has been exposed to COVID-19 by completing the Covid Exposure Self Reporting Tool. This information will be confidentially held by the Carmel COVID-19 health team and used for planning and prevention only.  
 
Daily Symptom & Exposure Pre-Screening
All CCS students, faculty and staff will be required to complete a Daily Symptom & Exposure Pre-Screening BEFORE coming to campus. A lanyard will be worn daily, upon arrival, to indicate the pre-screening was completed. Students will not be required to wear the lanyard during activities where it may become a liability (such as recess or Physical Education class). We are relying on a firm commitment to this process by the entire community to safeguard the health of our CCS family. 
 
Face Coverings:
CCS students, faculty, and staff will be asked to wear face coverings intermittently throughout the school day. Requirements will vary based upon the mode we are operating within. Elementary students will be asked to wear them rather infrequently while Middle and High School students, who interact differently and move about the building more frequently, will wear them more often. 
 
Please ensure your student has access to a face covering at the start of school. These may be sourced by each individual family and should be free of controversial graphics or wording. 
 
Our plan is to re-enter school on August 19 in the Cougars on Campus mode.   In this mode, students, faculty and staff will be asked to wear face coverings at the following times. This initial recommendation will be evaluated regularly and adjusted as needed. 
 
Grades K-4: 
  • When arriving and departing from school/carline
  • During chapel 
  • In choir/music/classroom when singing
  • At various times when traveling outside the classroom
  • Not required during outside play or PE
  • Not required to wear face masks at other times, though they are welcome to do so. 
 
Grades 5-12:
  • When arriving and departing from school/carline
  • During chapel
  • In choir/music/classroom when singing 
  • At all times when traveling outside the classroom 
  • Not required during outside play or PE
  • When not able to physically distance such as working in small groups. 

Faculty/Staff:
  • When arriving and departing from school/carline
  • During chapel
  • At all times when traveling outside the classroom 
  • When working with students in small groups or when physical distancing is not feasible
Operational Modes
Throughout the school year, our goal is to remain on campus as much as possible ( Cougars on Campus ); however, we will be prepared to toggle between all operational modes, as needed.  Cougar Flex will be used as a transitional phase, giving us the ability to continue to serve students on campus in the event that a significant number of our students are at home due to illness or quarantine. This mode offers a modified schedule, ensuring both screen and face covering time is manageable.  Cougars at Home will be used only when the other two modes are not feasible.
 
I look forward to sharing the full re-entry plan with you the week of July 27 and connecting with you on the Head of School LIVE! (virtual event) the following week. Thank you for your flexibility, cooperation and prayerful support. In preparation for our return to school, let’s work together to exercise resiliency, to give grace to ourselves and others, to learn continually, and to praise our Father in heaven who perfectly orders all things.   
 
While the world and our community endure hardship and uncertainty, we cling to the eternal hope we have in Jesus Christ, “ We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19. We are excited to see the Lord’s BEST as it unfolds throughout the coming school year! I am so grateful for your partnership!
Dr. Jay Hancock
Head of School
Carmel Christian School | carmelchristian.org